Getting a horded domain cheap?

[interactive]

Well say you have this company called XDI or something, and say you want the domain XDI.com. Well what if another person has already registered the name, but is just having it parked to sell it. Is there anyway to pick this name up? Thanks

[Chicken]

If they parked it to sell it, then you could email the registrant asking if they'd accept errrr... whatever to buy it off them. I've had a few people to this for domains I own/have owned (and sold). I've emailed owners of domains before though and they never replied :(

[interactive]

Well I can see this person being unreasonable as their minimum bid is $1000, for a domain that other wise is probably worth under $250. So just email like Enom (the actual registrar) about it?

[Chicken]

No, I wouldn't bother. The registrar is only going to tell you to email the current registrant. Even if their minimum bid is $1,000, I'd still offer less. Sounds like this is one at perfectname. They seem to have a bunch that are worth $250 for minimum bid $1,000.

[interactive]

Originally posted by Chicken:

No, I wouldn't bother. The registrar is only going to tell you to email the current registrant. Even if their minimum bid is $1,000, I'd still offer less. Sounds like this is one at perfectname. They seem to have a bunch that are worth $250 for minimum bid $1,000.

Ya I had dealt with another domain (nracing.com) and forget who owned it. But I made them a reasonable offer (somewhere in the high 3 digit range if I remember right). They replied back in a "snooty way" saying that the bid was too low. So I asked them what they were looking for and they replied and said "Our client is looking for around $20,000". My jaw dropped to the floor.

[markblair]

I remember sending an e-mail to someone selling erpa.com and the registrant wanted $2700. The only reason I checked the domain is because the initials mean something to my wife. Thought it'd be nice to have it. Not for that price, though.

[interactive]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't this be considered hording? If so it could be pressed using the law?

[Chicken]

Well, if you were selling a domain, you'd want to get what you expect for it. Maybe that would be just $25, but if someone offered you $7, you'd most likely refuse. Would you not selling it be considered hording? Woudl you be forced to sell the domain for $7. That doesn't seem right now does it?

People selling domains for far more than anyone would ever pay for them isn't new. They have what you want, but you don't want to pay what they want, so they keep the domain.

[interactive]

Originally posted by Chicken:

Well, if you were selling a domain, you'd want to get what you expect for it. Maybe that would be just $25, but if someone offered you $7, you'd most likely refuse. Would you not selling it be considered hording? Woudl you be forced to sell the domain for $7. That doesn't seem right now does it?

People selling domains for far more than anyone would ever pay for them isn't new. They have what you want, but you don't want to pay what they want, so they keep the domain.

You're totally right. But their intent when they registered the name was to sell it later on and make a big buck. It's a very touchy subject indeed.

As for the pricing, they have every right to charge what they want as this is a free country (America we're talking about). Just as much as I have the right to moan and groan about it. But it comes to a point when such pricing is unreasonable. Say you were locked out in the Sahara desert and you had just finished off your last bottle of water, and saw a merchant (out in the middle of nowhere) selling water. He asks $10,000 for a bottle of water. It's obviously a case of supply and demand, but there comes a point to which its unreasonable.

[markblair]

Unfortunately, people will ask for more than a domain is worth. Is that wrong to do? I don't think so. The worst that could happen is they don't sell the domain and year after year they keep registering it (paying more money for renewal costs) in hopes of eventually selling it. The seller loses out since they'll spend more money on something they aren't using and the potential buyer loses because they really want the domain. It's a vicious cycle.

[allan]

Originally posted by interactive:
Say you were locked out in the Sahara desert and you had just finished off your last bottle of water, and saw a merchant (out in the middle of nowhere) selling water. He asks $10,000 for a bottle of water. It's obviously a case of supply and demand, but there comes a point to which its unreasonable.

What kind of Republican are you, sheesh ;)?

[interactive]

Originally posted by allan:

What kind of Republican are you, sheesh ;)?

I prefer to look at myself as a independant :d ;). But I must admit, I'm somewhat conservative ;)

[allan]

Originally posted by interactive:

I prefer to look at myself as a independant :d ;). But I must admit, I'm somewhat conservative ;)

Except when it comes to domain name pricing, apparently :D :D.

[interactive]

It comes from being in the Domain SS (gustapo) :D